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This was probably one of my favourite chapters to write. Everything just seemed to easily flow from my mind to the paper. So I'm really hoping you all like it.

Chapter 15:

Hinata wiped the sweat off her forehead as she finally finished watering the plants in the garden bed. Despite having her hair tied up in a low bun and fashioning a hat, the blistering sun still managed to be problematic. The cold mornings had begun to fade away and eventually the days were becoming hotter and longer. Hinata had regretted choosing to tend to the garden at this time of the day. Yet, at the same time she had not minded so much. Tending to the garden had put her mind at ease a little. Ever since the revelation of the engagement between Sasuke and herself, Hinata's mind had been in disarray. Her thoughts and feelings towards Sasuke were a jigsaw puzzle she had not finished. Hinata shook her head unconsciously – Sasuke's the jigsaw puzzle. He was so perplexing. It bewildered her.

"Hinata!"

She flicked her head towards the sound of her name. Hinata smiled when her eyes locked with glistening azure eyes.

"Hello Naruto-kun," she greeted as he jogged to meet her.

"You don't have to do this, dattebayo," he said gesturing towards the garden.

Hinata shook her head, "I don't mind. It's not difficult or time consuming."

He smiled sheepishly, scratching his cheek. "Yeah but… Sasuke asked me to look after his garden, so…"

"It's okay Naruto-kun. You're busy finalising things for when you become Hokage, right?"

Naruto smiled, "Arigato Hinata. I really appreciate this. I know Sasuke will also appreciate it."

Hinata blushed faintly at the idea of Sasuke appreciating something she did. Would that involve him thanking me?

"Ah – that's – um…"

Naruto laughed. Hinata looked up at him shyly, embarrassed that she was struggling to come up with a response. She bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

"Anyway, I have to head back to the Hokage office. Kakashi-sensei wants to present me to the daimyo soon."

"That's great Naruto-kun! You'll be Hokage soon, won't you?"

"Yep!" he said cheerfully as he nodded his head, "I've got all the jonin's approval, so it won't be too long until I'm Hokage dattebayo!"

Hinata smiled, "I'm glad, you deserve it."

Naruto blushed, scratching his cheek as he turned his eyes away from Hinata.

"Ah, arigato… I just hope Sasuke finishes his mission before the ceremony and all."

"Hai… it's almost been a month," she said quietly.

"Yeah…"

"Ah – but he'll be back soon."

Naruto smiled as he nodded his head.

"Well, I better get going. Ja ne, Hinata!"

Hinata waved goodbye to Naruto. She sighed once he walked out of the gates of the Uchiha compound. She frowned as she gazed at the Uchiha emblem on the gates. A part of Hinata wanted to avoid Sasuke but the other part of her eagerly waited for his return. She closed her eyes recalling the last words Sasuke had spoken to her.

"Hinata… when I get back, I want to talk about us."

Xxx

Sasuke splashed his face with water, hoping it would help cool him down. He stood back up, walking away from the bank of the river. He was relieved he had decided not to travel with his cloak. However, he was more relieved but sullen that he had not accepted the damn thing back from Hinata. He sighed, recalling that night – well both nights were quite interesting actually. The first night he referred to the day he discovered Hinata and himself were engaged. He massaged his temples recalling how idiotic it was of him to go the Hyuga compound half drunk. I don't think Naruto would ever do that. Yet, when it came to Hinata, Sasuke's rational side would be pushed away. His lust and desires would take over. Whereas, the second night was the night he left for his mission. He had visited the Hyuga compound, uncaring that it was late. He couldn't care less of what the Hyuga's thought of him. He had wanted to see Hinata. He was taken to her private quarters and ushered in without a word to Hinata. He had taken Hinata by surprise as she had come out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel on. He chuckled to himself, recalling her embarrassment and shock. Her face was so red. After she had gotten changed, she had sat herself in front of Sasuke. He had explained to her that he was leaving on mission and would not be back for a while. Before leaving, Hinata had handed Sasuke back his cloak but he had pushed it away from himself. He had told her he no longer needed it. She grudgingly complied, after he persuaded her to accept it. The truth was, Sasuke was afraid that the cloak would smell like Hinata. Sasuke was positive he wouldn't be able to handle the smell of Hinata on his skin. Sasuke shook his head and then sighed as he remembered the last words he had said to her.

"Hinata… when I get back, I want to talk about us."

Sasuke still wasn't one hundred percent sure what he meant by that. But he did want to talk to her. It was necessary. He gritted his teeth the more he thought about it all. It was all so exasperating. He had never had to deal with such complex but simple emotions before. Hence, why he hastily accepted Kakashi's urgent mission. Sasuke needed to be away from Hinata. He needed to not see her. He needed to not crave her. Sasuke wanted time to think. He needed time to regain his composure and sense of rational. But how many weeks have passed? If Sasuke had to be honest, nothing had changed. His feelings towards Hinata were still so confusing. He was unsure what he was planning to do.
He had travelled the world alone for two years but it was different now. Sasuke felt lonesome without Team 7. Moreover, he had become accustomed to seeing Hinata on a regular basis. Weeks without both Team 7 and Hinata had felt so… lonely. Although, he was adapted to going on solo missions whilst being a part of the Anbu, he had never had to be gone for so long.
Sasuke sighed as he began to pick up the pace again. He jumped from tree to tree, hurrying to his next destination.

Xx

Kakashi leaned back into his chair as he finally finished signing a stack of papers he had recently procrastinated doing. He let out a deep breath, exhausted by all the writing. He wondered how all the previous Hokage had managed it. Assistances? Alcohol?
He rubbed his chin. He had both but neither would ever help in the slightest when it came to the paperwork. He chuckled wondering how on earth Sasuke had somehow managed to do it. Despite hating his assigned task, his ex-pupil had managed to re-write most of the books. More importantly, Kakashi pondered how Sasuke was doing on his current mission.
His solo mission involved getting more information on the current rebel organisations forming around a variety of regions, specifically in the Land of Fire. Kakashi had received word from the other Kages of uprising in their lands. Specific people who enjoyed violence disliked the new era of peace. Kakashi decided to send in Sasuke to find more information and to do any necessary cleaning up. In addition to this, Kakashi had ordered him to scope around Orochimaru's hideout to see if he also had any information. Initially, he planned to send in other Anbu members but Sasuke had seemed tense. Kakashi mused it was his lack of sparring with Naruto and working out in the field.

Hopefully, this mission helped loosen his tension.

Suddenly, Kakashi heard a tapping on his window. He spun his chair around, to find a hawk perched upon the window still. Kakashi opened the window, immediately recognising it as Sasuke's hawk. He removed the letter from the hawk's legs and read the message Sasuke had left him.

Kakashi,

Tonika Village is all clear. Heading back as you read this.

Sasuke.

Xxxx

Hinata had not seen Sasuke in weeks. Ever since he whispered those words to her, she had attempted to block all thoughts of him. It was pointless though. Somehow, he had managed to etch his way under her skin. Hinata's mind was filled with thoughts of Sasuke. He was peculiar. A man of not many words but yet his body language spoke volumes. Moreover, when he did speak he was clear and concise. He wasted no words.

Hinata sighed as she entered the cemetery. She brought the bouquet of flowers closer to her chest. She smelled them and smiled happily. It was Neji's favourite flowers. Hinata sighed, thinking about Neji would always somehow connect back to Sasuke. They were both stoic. It was strange, initially, when Sasuke and she met eye to eye, the bitterness he felt towards her had felt similar to the bitterness Neji had felt for her in the past. She wanted to change that. She wanted Sasuke to like her. She wanted Sasuke to like her as a person. Hinata blushed at the mere thought of Sasuke admitting he valued Hinata as friend. That would never happen, she thought. We're strangers after all. However, they had gotten closer and Sasuke was somewhat kind to her. She supposed it was a start. She enjoyed his presence. If Hinata could trust her instincts, Sasuke didn't seem to mind her as well. And now… we're –

"Hinata."

Hinata's breath hitched as she heard that voice. There was no one else with such a coarse voice. The way he called out her name, it was almost entrancing. She gazed up at him surprised. Although weeks had passed, the moment her eyes had fallen upon Sasuke it felt like no time had passed. It was as if the time apart of not seeing him was a misconception she had created in her mind.

"What are you blushing about?" He asked, dropping his arm to his side. Hinata watched the single flower in his hand droop a little in response to his movement.

"Nothing," she whispered as she shyly looked away.

"Hn."

He continued to walk past her, as if she was a ghost. It made sense though that he would disregard her like that. Sasuke had once said she meant nothing to him. It seemed that had not changed. Perhaps it would never change. Yet that night… she was so sure it wasn't a dream. Sasuke had made her feel as if she was significant in his life.

"Wait!" She called out.

Hinata turned on her heel and ran to catch up to Sasuke. He did not turn around to face her but he had stopped. Once she caught up and stood by his side, he continued to walk.
Sasuke glanced at her and smiled. It was not a smirk but a genuine smile that radiated on his face. Hinata reddened, Sasuke's eyes no longer held bitterness in it as he gazed upon her.

"Let me borrow this," Sasuke reached over to her bouquet of flowers and plucked two from it.

"Sasuke, the reason I came was – well…"

"Hinata," he said quietly.

She turned to face him and realised that he was not addressing her but asking her to stop talking. She watched Sasuke kneel down and place one of the flowers on his mother's grave.

"You remind me of my Okasan."

Hinata kneeled beside him. "Tell me about her."

Xx

Sasuke and Hinata were both unsure of how much time had passed. They sat with one another on a hill, in a secluded part of the forest. The two Heads were so enthralled in one another, that it seemed like no time had passed at all.
After paying their respects to their family, the two had wandered into the forest silently. A few comments were made here and there. Nonetheless, both Sasuke and Hinata did not mind the silence. It allowed the two of them to sort out their minds.

"Sasuke," Hinata said as she fidgeted with her fingers, "how was your mission?"

"It went as planned," he replied.

"I see…"

"Thank you… for looking after the garden," he added awkwardly.

Hinata blushed and pulled out some of the grass beside her.

"I just had some free time, so I thought…" She bit her lip and turned her head to face Sasuke, "I didn't mind at all, Sasuke."

He smirked, "You're quite fond of gardening, aren't you Hinata?"

She nodded her head, "Hai… I used to do a lot of it with Okasan."

"My Okasan always dragged me along to do it with her," he said. Sasuke then smiled sincerely before adding, "I pretended to dislike it but I'm sure she knew I enjoyed it."

"That sounds like you," she said whilst trying to hold in a giggle.

He arched his eyebrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, I –"

Hinata paused at the realisation that Sasuke had shifted closer to her, or perhaps I shifted closer to him? She gulped as she looked down at their hands. They're hands were only a few inches apart. Her cheeks reddened.

"Hinata?"

Sasuke leaned in closer to her and repeated the question again. His voice a little sterner this time.

She turned her eyes away from him before quietly replying.

"I might be wrong but… sometimes you say things which you don't mean."

"Hn."

She flicked her eyes back to Sasuke. He looked unfazed as he stared right back at her. After a few seconds, he turned his eyes away from her. He stared at his hand.

"Are you still in love with Naruto?"

Hinata smiled sadly. She plucked the grass around her and sighed.

"There are lingering feelings. But I'm not in love with him anymore."

"He still loves you though."

"Yes… I've talked to him about it though. Naruto-kun, wants me to be happy. As do I want him to be happy."

"He was happy with you," Sasuke scorned.

Hinata frowned, "I suppose he was before the incident…" Her voice died down a little. Despite how much time had passed, a part of Hinata would always feel sad that she would never meet her unborn child. Hinata was grateful that Sasuke did not say anything. Rather, he noticed Hinata struggled to find the words. She closed her eyes and released a few breathes. She opened her eyes and continued.

"After what happened, both Naruto and I just weren't the same with one another. He pitied me and I hurt him. Sasuke… I hurt Naruto by not seeking solace with him. I hurt Naruto and I know he's still hurting. He won't ever say it but I know he feels betrayed that I never went to him for comfort. I secluded myself away from people. I became a recluse. Both of us became living shells of our former selves… We can't get back together. It's too difficult. We're just two different people now."

Hinata hugged her knees in embarrassment. I can't believe I just said that all to Sasuke! Sasuke said nothing to her as she attempted to hide her face from him. She bit her lip. Hinata wasn't sure what she expected how Sasuke would reply. She grimaced. Hinata didn't even know if she wanted Sasuke to reply. Hinata let out a sigh. She had kept those thoughts to herself for a while. It had felt nice to let it all out. Hinata had friends but she felt like they could not understand her. Sasuke on the other hand, somehow understood her. He could read her without her having to usher a word to him. Sasuke was just on the same wavelength as herself.

Suddenly, Sasuke stood up and clicked his tongue.

"Let's go spar Hinata."

"Nani?"

"I'm not going to repeat myself."

Sasuke turned his head away from Hinata as he extended his hand out to Hinata. She smiled as she reached out for his hand, grabbing onto it. Sasuke's hand easily overlapped Hinata's small hand. His hand felt dependable and radiated a sense of warmth. Despite his hands feeling rough, his grasp on Hinata was gentle.
She let go of his hand as soon as she was up on her feet. Sasuke immediately placed his hand back by his side.

"Let's go," he said.

Quietly, the two Heads walked out of the forest, side by side.

Xx

Hinata gasped as Sasuke's katana sliced off an inch of her hair. Before Sasuke could swing his katana back to her, Hinata flipped away from him, managing to dodge his next cut. He smirked as he watched Hinata let out a huff. Despite the woman looking fragile and delicate, she was definitely the opposite of what her first impressions gave off. He licked his lips as he sheathed his katana. Hinata deactivated her byakugan as she took deep breathes in and out. He assumed Hinata had given her all whilst they sparred. Sasuke on the other hand, held back quite a lot due to the obvious reasons. Even so, Hinata was strong. Stronger than the last time they had sparred. Well, you can't really call that a spar. It was more so I attacked her by surprised.

"Arigato, Sasuke," she called out, "I really needed a decent spar."

"Aa. Let's get you home," he said as he began to walk towards her.

Hinata nodded her head and stood up straight once Sasuke approached her. Hinata winced as she covered her hand over her stomach. She released a heavy breath and wiped the sweat off her face.

"I didn't… Did I hurt you?" He asked quietly.

Hinata smiled as looked up at him. Sasuke looked into her white eyes, seeing no pain in them whatsoever. She simply looked at peace.

"No. I just haven't sparred like this in so long so I'm just a little out of breath. Please don't worry about it Sasuke."

"Aa," he replied.

She gave him another smile before the two began walking back to their respective estates. Like most of their walks, it was silent and peaceful. He glanced at Hinata quickly, noticing how her shirt stuck tightly to her body due to being drenched in sweat. He clenched his jaw as he became aware of just how fortunate Hinata was to have perfect sized breasts. They weren't too big nor too small. He scowled, I'm becoming a perve.

"Is something wrong, Sasuke?" She asked.

He furrowed his brow as he averted his eyes back to the road.

"No."

It seemed to be the wrong answer as Hinata frowned at his response. He ignored it, continuing to look at the road. As the Hyuga estate became more visible, Sasuke mused now would be the appropriate time to discuss with Hinata a certain issue.

"Hinata… what do you think of the marriage arrangement?"

He observed her blink and then blush faintly.

"I – I think that…It's fine."

He raised his eyebrow, "Fine?"

"The arrangement is valid. It can't exactly become null, so…"

"Hn. However, we're the Heads of our clan now, so it wouldn't be a problem for us both to make it null."

"Oh – I – that's true. I guess I never thought of it like that…"

Before they knew it, Sasuke and Hinata reached the entrance of the Hyuga compound. They stopped before it.

"Hinata, I want you to be honest. Do you… Do you have feelings for me?"

He gritted his teeth, embarrassed that he had asked such a forward question.

Hinata's eyes widened at the question, her face tinting an even greater shade of red. She then looked down at her feet and fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. She looked back at him before she replied.

"Yes," she said quietly. "Do you –"

"Yes," he countered.

xxx

Aaaa they finally sort of admitted they have feelings for one another! Thus, begins the drama aha. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review !